No, he's a self-described Nikon fan, who also happens to shoot with Canon and Leica cameras on occasion, the better to increase the number of hits on his website, the better to make money. Nothing wrong with that, but it's important to recognize the motivation.

I don't see him as biased against Canon at all, in fact he has a lot of praise for the 5D MK2 and MK3?

ET

You must have missed his original pre-release version he had with the camera before he deleted it and made the full review in it's place... he originally slammed the 5d2, saying it smeared details, the NR was cooking the details away from the scene, the D700 was far and away superior yada yada yada... after reading that, and having a good glimpse of my budget at that time, I decided against buying the 5d2 upon first release... it was only afterwards I got a good glimpse of his reputation, and once he changed his review, and upon recommendations from neuro and many others, I decided to get the 5d2 temporarily until I could get the 5d3. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he has a revised review in a year or two once the camera goes mainstream and starts getting accolades.

Kens reputation is well known by most photographers. Quoting him is going to bring on warning comments and should. It is similar to those saying oh, look at tscamcamera store, they have a 1D x in stock for $500.

At least, he does post a warning that it is all for fun, and you should not take his posts seriously.

From his site

"Apparently the world finds my opinions very useful, but remember, they are the opinions of one man. I have a big sense of humor, and do this site to entertain you (and myself), as well as to inform and to educate. I occasionally weave fiction and satire into my stories to keep them interesting. I love a good hoax. "

It’s a fact that you attract more attention by pointing out the negative, whether they really exist or not. But I still don't understand people's obsession with gear over technique. I am certain most of the world's prized photographers could have been achieved with lower grade camera than 5d2, 5d3, d700 or d800, etc...

I bought one of the first's Nikon 1DX (equivalent to D3) when it was the hottest new digital DSLR on earth thinking that's what I needed because I loved photography so much, but it wasn't until I began to focus on technique and less on gear that my stuff started to improve. I switched to Canon since then, not because of quality, by because they have and continue to have (in my opinion) a more user friendly menu system and camera controls.

FYI, I just received my 5D3 and like most of you, love my gear, but 80% of my focus is still on technique, plus my choice is easy since my glass is Canon.

I have yet to hear one world renowned photographer tout one brand over another, BECAUSE THEY GET IT!

BillyBean

...do his concerns hold any water? What's the answer to the following for example:

"I'm still trying to learn the extremely complex AF system of the 5D Mark III. I still can't figure out a fast (one-click maximum) way to get from the auto-AF area select mode to a single selected area. I always shoot letting the camera select the AF point, and need instant override to select the point if the camera can't do it itself. Right now, I have to press the Mark III's [-|-] button and then press the M-Fn button a few times, an then move the thumb button, which is completely unacceptable unless I can find a faster way."

His concerns seem, to me, to be incapable of holding even hot air.

But for this particular brass tack...

Thanks ! This is exactly the type of informed response I wanted to see. Love him or loath him, Ken does get read, especially by newbies, and I'm afraid I don't have enough knowledge (yet) to tell whether he is mistaken or not, so your input is very helpful indeed...

I tried to read his "review" but I just can't do it. I'm sorry, I just can't stand this guy. His gripes are so... I try not to use the word dumb... perhaps petty? It's not even that he's pro Nikon. There are other pro bloggers that are obviously pro Nikon that I still find entertaining. But when he says that the most advanced AF system out right now is "too complicated"... I just can't listen to him.

Especially with the set up of the AF system is generally the same as the 7D's (but with more points) and I've been using that AF system with all it's modes (mostly single point) all the time with no real problems...

I'm not even smart and have learned it, studied it, practiced with it and made good use of it.